Fred at Divisadero & Oak, San Francisco - 1958

Fred Tautenhahn opened his first Service Station (Shell) on Divisadero & Oak Streets in San Francisco in 1958.

In those days, Car Washing in Gas Stations was very rare and only by hand. In 1960, Fred’s station was picked for a test of a new Car Washing process. A large vending type machine with a hose and nozzle was placed in an outdoor parking stall which you could put in a quarter and select soap or rinse.

This first experience with Car Washing, ultimately lead Fred to building Full Service conveyor type Car Washes in San Francisco, Daly City, San Mateo and Redwood City during the late 1960's and 1970's.

Fred at Westlake, Daly City - 2003

Over the next 20 years, Fred became involved in many automotive related ventures and built more Car Washes, during this time he expanded and installed the “Touchless” Car Washing concept in his own locations in 1990.

Various types of “Touchless” Car Washes are sprouting up across the country, Fred’s goal is to utilize “touchless.com” as a National Car Wash directory and location finder. This web site would also provide coupons for discounts and loyalty rewards.

General Automotive Systems, Inc. (GAS) is the corporate entity that was formed in 1968 which owns and operates “touchless.com” and “1800CarWash;” GAS Inc. also operates Fred’s other businesses, Gas & Wash Partners, Car Wash Enterprises, Inc., and Hillsdale Shell, Inc.

Fred's Son Dean	Fred's Son Guy	Lynda Borg

Fred’s two sons, Dean and Guy have been learning the “ropes” for the last 18 years now and are being positioned for gradual ownership.